A series of Madison city government initiatives have been attacked by some in the business community:

Low-cost housing mandate

Proposal: Require that developers include 15 percent lower-cost units in housing projects and make units available to those making less than the Dane County median income.

Decision: Approved 12-8 in January 2004.

Aftermath: The council last week voted 15-2 to change the law to make it more appealing to home- buyers and developers, and so that it will expire in 2009 unless other action is taken.

Higher minimum wage

Proposal: Increase the minimum wage for most employees from $5.15 per hour to $7.75 by 2008.

Decision: Approved by a 12-7 vote in March 2004.

Aftermath: In 2005, the state Legislature killed local minimum wage laws in favor of a state standard rising to $6.50 in this year.

Regulate "big box" retail

Proposal: Establish design guidelines intended to build the city's urban character and stop the spread of big, bland buildings surrounded by acres of asphalt.

Decision: Approved by an 18-1 vote in March 2005.

Aftermath: Developers have been concerned, but city officials say no projects have been stopped.

Smoking ban

Proposal: Extend smoke- free areas to almost all workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

Decision: Approved by 15-5 vote in April 2004. The law took effect July 2005.

Aftermath: Some small bars say they have been hurt, and a few have closed, but the number of liquor licenses continues to grow. Two repeal bids have failed. Cigar bar exemption added by 12-8 vote in March 2006.

Lobbying law

Proposal: An initial law, in effect since 2001, required people paid to try to influence government decisions to register and report expenses. Some council members sought to toughen it.

Decision: Substitute proposals to loosen law by expending exemptions for business employees approved by a 17-2 and 15-4 votes in September 2005.

Aftermath: As of March, 185 lobbyists were registered under the lobbying ordinance - nearly three times as many as the number of principals registered in 2004.

Paid sick leave

Proposal: Allow employees to earn paid leave for time worked. Vacation, sick or personal time would satisfy the law's requirements. Businesses could avoid paying a sick employee by offering extra hours of work.

Decision: Failed on a 9-10 vote - 11 votes were needed - in May.

Aftermath: In June, the council voted 10-8 against putting an advisory referendum on the ballot. Advocates are considering a petition drive to put the question to voters.

- Dean Mosiman

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